A study carried out by the Mental Health Foundation as part of Mental Health Awareness Week (May 8-14) found that just 13 per cent of more than 2,200 interviewees reported living with high levels of good mental health. More than four in 10 people said they had experienced depression and nearly two-thirds of people said they had experienced a mental health problem.

But times are changing. Nationally, the Heads Together campaign, which is spearheaded by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, is making strides in shattering the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Here in Calderdale, Andy’s Man Club and the viral #ItsOktoTalk campaign, led by ex-Halifax RLFC player Luke Ambler, is breaking down the barriers preventing men from discussing their mental health.

And for people looking for a safe, non-judgmental environment to talk about their problems, the Turning Point Counselling Service (TPCS) can offer just that.

Based in Church Lane, Brighouse, TPCS was set up in 2002 and has thrived in those 15 years. It is supported by churches in Brighouse and Rastrick, with the aim of providing free counselling, supported by donations and grants.

While the project is Christian-based, the charity offers help regardless of race, gender or faith.

Speaking about how counselling can help, Rev Louise Armitage said: “It helps people find their inner strength, it helps them to be able to choose or find strategies, so if similar situations occur again and they feel those terrible feelings again, they are actually able to use those strategies to cope better. It helps them to be able to cope with their whole lives and all their relationships. It has this amazing outflow, it reaches out to their families. It has a continuous effect and I think it has a whole community effect.”

Last month, Prince Harry opened up about his own journey and revealed he had sought counselling after struggling to come to terms with the death of his mother.

Gill Hartley, counselling coordinator, says there has been a rise in young people wanting to speak to someone about their anxieties and while a broad spectrum of people attend sessions, people in their late 20s to early 30s form the main group of referrals.

She added that in most cases, clients are battling depression and anxiety, which could be linked with other issues including bereavement, historical sexual abuse and domestic violence.

“Sometimes people don’t realise how strong they are,” Gill said. “It’s not until someone who is not emotionally involved with their issues actually says ‘I’m noticing how strong and resilient you are’, they realise they are strong and they can cope with things. It’s really nice to go on that journey with a client and be there with them and see them progress. It makes you feel really humble.”

TPCS prides itself on being in the heart of the community and will always try to reach out to people who may find it difficult to get to the building.

Development manager Simon Jackson said: “Depression can be a really dark place and one of the things that is linked to depression is isolation. People can become isolated from their community and from their family, even if they are living with their family, because we internalise depression. It’s a safe, non-judgmental space here, just for us to say ‘this hour is yours, where do you want to go with it’.

“Often people will struggle with that, because we are programmed not to talk about our problems. It’s about breaking that isolation. So we just say ‘the space is yours’.”

He added: “We are here, the first step and picking up the phone is often the hardest, but it gets easier from then. When you’re anxious and depressed and isolated, it’s hard to do that, but it’s just a phone call and you will get someone at the end of the phone who will be really welcoming. I’m not saying it will be easy from that point, but it becomes easier because you have made the first step.”

Moving forward, the charity would like to attract potential business sponsorship and more volunteers. Visit www.turningpoint-brighouse.org.uk or call 01484 950808.